title: Overview of severe Clostridium difficile infection.
abstract: Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming, gram-positive bacillus that can produce severe colitis resulting in death. There has been an overall increase in the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated disease and, particularly, an increase in the more virulent forms of the disease. Treatment of severe C difficile infection includes management of severe sepsis and shock, pathogen-directed antibiotic therapy, and, in selected cases, surgical intervention. Ultimately, prevention is the key to limiting the devastating effects of this microorganism.
authors.affiliation: Section of Acute and Critical Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8109, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mazuski
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Clostridium difficile; Clostridium difficile colitis; Nosocomial infection; Pseudomembranous colitis